Dolphins-Bengals: Who has the edge?

October 5, 2012|By Harvey Fiakov, Sun Sentinel

Dolphins running game vs. Bengals run defense

Reggie Bush said his knee and hip were much improved this week and he should be able to gash the Bengals' 24th-ranked run defense that has allowed a league-worst 5.4 yards-per-carry. After Ryan Tannehill's 431-yard performance, the Bengals won't be able to stuff the box with nine bodies which leaves most of the dirty work to blossoming nose tackle Geno Atkins, the son of former Dolphins safety Gene Atkins.

EDGE: Dolphins

Dolphins passing game vs. Bengals pass defense

Throw out Tannehill's misleading 66.4 passer rating and six picks. He has steadily improved and should take advantage of Cincinnati's injury-ravaged secondary if his offensive line keeps the league-leading pass rushers off him (16 sacks). League-leading receiver Brian Hartline and Davone Bess have quieted the detractors and they now have a legitimate third option in Jabar Gaffney.

EDGE: Dolphins

Bengals running game vs. Dolphins run defense

The Dolphins magnificent front seven leads the NFL in holding opponents to 56.8 rushing yards per game on 2.4 yards per carry. With DT Randy Starks clogging the lanes and middle linebacker Karlos Dansby cleaning up, the defense will force Cincinnati into a one-dimensional passing attack. Bengals tailback BenJarvus Green-Ellis averages 71 yards a game, but only 3.5 yards-per-carry.

EDGE: Dolphins

Bengals passing game vs. Dolphins pass defense

With CB Richard Marshall out with a back injury and the secondary's continued lapses late in games, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton may have a field day picking on the 30th-ranked unit. Dalton leads the NFL in fourth-quarter passer rating. He has two dynamic weapons in 6-4 receiver A.J. Green, who's second to Hartline in reception yardage, and 5-7 speedster Andrew Hawkins, not to mention dangerous tight end Jermaine Gresham. If Cam Wake and Co. can generate a pass rush similar to last week's eight sacks, this could be a fair fight.

EDGE: Bengals

Dolphins special teams vs. Bengals special teams

The Dolphins haven't gotten much from their return game since Marcus Thigpen's early-season punt return TD. Kicker Dan Carpenter has completely lost his confidence, missing three big kicks in the past two games. Dolphins punter Brandon Fields is fourth in the NFL with a 50.4 average, but his counterpart Kevin Huber lives inside the 20, while kicker Mike Nugent is a perfect 7-of-7 on field goals. If Adam Jones is healthy, he's a threat on kick returns, as his 81-yard touchdown showed earlier in a win over Cleveland.

EDGE: Bengals

Intangibles

The Bengals have won three in a row, including two straight on the road, but the Dolphins are angry and hungry after two consecutive heartbreaking overtime losses. It's almost a must-win for the Dolphins and their skill players will receive plenty of inside information from defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle and defensive backs coach Blue Adams, who came over from the Bengals staff. Miami is 8-3 in Cincinnati.

EDGE: Dolphins

Prediction: Now that the Dolphins have found a quarterback and passing game to go with the 5th-ranked rushing attack, they should turn missed field goals into touchdowns, particularly against Cincinnati's 26th-ranked red-zone defense.